Rebuilding NR is a pop-up organisation that has helped countless flood victims obtain necessary items and repair 80 of the most susceptible houses since 2022. Their work isn't done yet.

This workforce combines the efforts of several charities and hundreds of volunteers coordinated by the tireless efforts of Natasha Shearer and Tracy Laing.

“We have completed (rebuilt) 64 homes out of the original list (of 100) and started works on 16 more. Our list is of what we deemed the most vulnerable in the Northern Rivers from Grafton to Tweed Heads,” says Natasha.

“Our current list is now at 272 houses needing some sort of help.”

61 of the houses are in Lismore.

Preparations are underway for a Tradie weekend, as a boost effort to reignite the cause to help fix up the remaining houses. Donations and helpers are being sought for late September or October.

(Photo provided by Natasha Shearer)

Natasha started her distribution work with a Facebook page and helped match resources to people.  

“When the floods initially started I pretty much acted as a conduit to get goods and things to those who needed it. It might be furniture, or food, or may be stock for the pet store.

“We did everything and anything.”

The network and goods donated became more sizeable. Natasha distributed caravans, tents, furniture, cars as well as her Minions - those that helped accommodate what needed to be done. They started calling themselves Natasha’s Minions.

“I was fortunate to meet up with Jordy, who was running the Woodburn Hub before it went to the NRRC. He let me use the space at the back as a storage depot.”

Amar Singh from Turbans 4 Australia recognised the work that Natasha was doing and reached out to her to assist with their efforts. Now Natasha’s work fell under the umbrella of a charity. She continued that work for about a year.

Natasha’s family from Lismore pitched in, and the Minion crew kept growing, “There were about two hundred people that were helping out.”

(Some of the minions. Photo provided by Natasha Shearer)

"Then, about 15 months ago, I had an idea. The government wasn't doing anything (in the way of fixing up houses), and I had the idea of rebuilding homes. I put a committee together, and we looked at the situation.”

Natasha was well versed in who had suffered and where at this stage, and a list was made to assist the most vulnerable. The red tape and delays in government action had caused much stress amongst those who were affected. Natasha recognised the mental health issues that were becoming more chronic.

“When we first started, no one knew who was getting buybacks, or who was getting retrofits, or a house lift. It was still up in the air. Mental health is a big thing, and unfortunately, people were getting desperate. I'd seen it on people’s faces - on the verge of suicide, and unfortunately, there were a few people lost along the way. So that's why I decided to take some kind of action.”

To initiate this plan, Natasha reached out to organisations from Chinderah to Grafton to help people rebuild. This took place mid 2023, and this initial effort is when the 80 houses were assisted/rebuilt.

“There's a couple of homes that were beyond anything we could do. They've now got a buyback. Some got a lift.” 

(The list of charities that Natasha works with grew rapidly when she reached out to coordinate a wider network)

Natasha was still cognisant of the financial struggle experienced, even by those who got a lift or a buyback. Help is still available to these people, albeit on a smaller scale - supplying paint, for example.  

“Some of them might need furniture because they're just getting a new place. So that's another way I can act as a conduit because now I've got connections with local hotels. When they refurbish I get all the unneeded hotel furniture.

“We've had churches, and nunneries donate all the furniture as they all do upgrades.”

Natasha speaks highly of the help that she was given to make all this happen and looks forward to the next phase.

“This was all done with volunteers - not one of us got paid. The majority of the people that helped with this, were flood-affected themselves. 

“One of the main ladies that helped me, Tracy Laing, still doesn't even have a place - she's still rebuilding her whole place. She doesn't even have walls up yet.”

Natasha is set to finish what she started. She is now looking for tradies or anyone who can hold a paintbrush or wield a tool or who has product that they can donate.

“So far, we've already got $60,000 in donations since I announced this a week ago.”

Here are the ways you can get involved:

• Join the Rebuilding NR 2022 Facebook page for updates on when and where the tradie weekend will happen.
• Register on messenger with Rebuilding NR and let Natasha know where you are and how you can help, or 
• If you have an existing relationship with any of the charities mentioned above, contact them and let them know you want to be involved.
• If you have any products or tools that may be of assistance, a hub is being set up in Lismore. Contact Natasha at Rebuilding NR and arrange to drop them off.
• You can also make a donation here

Natasha is determined to get help to as many, if not all the grown list of 272 homes. She appreciates the efforts that so many have given.